Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111

What it takes to volunteer

Is volunteering right for you?

When you give your time and energy, you get so much more back. But first, let’s make sure it’s right for you, and you’re able to meet our requirements.

Age requirements

You must be at least 16 to volunteer. If you are under 18, we will ask you to complete a Family Information Sheet.  You also need to be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have a work visa for more than 2 years. 

Police checks

Our volunteers must be responsible, trustworthy and have integrity. That’s why everyone undergoes Police vetting. Police vetting will be conducted on entry into the organisation, and on an ongoing basis as required.

We do not accept anyone with convictions for arson or sexual offences. For other situations, we assess the type of conviction and when it occurred. All unpaid fines must be paid before applying.

For more information see the Police website: Information about vetting

If you have any questions, please email our recruitment team at: volly.applications@fireandemergency.nz

Medical checks

To meet the physical requirements of the role, Volunteer Firefighters and Medical Responders must pass medical checks. Applicants for Operational Support roles complete a medical self-assessment, while Brigade Support roles require no medical check.

The medical check is carried out by your GP. If you have any of these conditions, further assessment will be required:

  • Mobility issues
  • History of asthma
  • Insulin dependent diabetes
  • Epilepsy, seizures or episodes of loss of consciousness
  • Certain heart conditions
  • Serious psychological conditions.

If you have any questions, please email our recruitment team at: screening@fireandemergency.nz

Giving your time and being ready to respond 

Volunteer Firefighters, Operational Support volunteers and Medical First Responders must be able to respond to call-outs at any time, often with little or no notice. Some brigades operate a roster.

You will attend a regular training night, which is either weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Formal training courses are also mandatory for these roles, which may require time away from home and work. Brigade Support volunteers may have to attend brigade training nights.

Living or working near your fire station

In most cases, Volunteer Firefighters, Operational Support volunteers and Medical First Responders need to live or work close to their station so they can get there quickly when they’re called out. Ideally you will live or work within 5 minutes of an urban brigade and 10-15 minutes of a natural (rural) brigade.

Balancing volunteering and working

We encourage volunteer Firefighters, Operational Support volunteers and Medical First Responders to speak to their employers, and find an agreement about responding to call-outs during work hours. It’s essential to manage both responsibilities.

Read about how we recognise businesses (including self-employed) that employ and support our volunteers: Employer recognition programme